Repairability Report


Objective:

In this module, students will discuss the value of repair and the importance of making products more repairable. Students will learn how to evaluate products for repairability.


Deliverable:

  • Written reflection, repairability scorecard, and recommendation letter to manufacturer


Core Concepts:

  • Repair

  • Technical Communication

  • Engineering Design


Standards Correlations:

This activity correlates to the following Next Generation Science Standards. These standards incorporate the Common Core Literacy Standards. This activity may correlate to other standards, but these are the best fit:

NGSS Engineering Design - Performance Expectations:

  • HS-ETS1-1. Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.

  • HS-ETS1-2. Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.

  • HS-ETS1-3. Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics, as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.


Materials:

  • Something to take apart

  • Tools to aid in disassembly

  • Computer to access the internet


Procedures:

Activity 1: Understanding Repair

As a class, brainstorm what repair means. Have students discuss with classmates (or with their families) and write a reflection on the following questions:

  • What things are broken in your life? Why did they break?

  • What things do you think are easy to fix? What things are difficult or impossible to fix? Why?

  • What are some possible trade-offs with making things repairable?


Activity 2: Repairability Report

  1. Break the class into small groups. Have each group pick one physical item to take apart and evaluate.

  2. Have the groups discuss and take notes about what makes the item easy or difficult to take apart and reassemble.

  3. Each group reports back to the class on what they learned.

  4. Together as a class, create a repairability scorecard by identifying common criteria. If the class needs ideas, refer to this list of possible criteria. 

  5. Evaluate each group's device using the repairability scorecard.

  6. Write a recommendation letter to the manufacturer pointing out what is repairable and suggesting improvements.


Discussion Topics:

  1. How can we encourage people to repair their things?

  2. Why is repair important for us as individuals? As a global society?

  3. How does repair impact the environment?

  4. What can we do as a society to encourage and promote repair? What can we do as individuals to help?


Other Resources: